Singer Mary Wilson, co-founder of The Supremes, died Monday night at her home in Henderson, Nevada. She was 76 years old. MARK RALSTON / AFP via Getty Images Hide caption
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MARK RALSTON / AFP via Getty Images
Singer Mary Wilson, co-founder of The Supremes, died Monday night at her home in Henderson, Nevada. She was 76 years old.
MARK RALSTON / AFP via Getty Images
Mary Wilson, one of the co-founders of The Supremes, died Monday at the age of 76, her publicist said.
Wilson “died suddenly” at her home in Hendeson, Nevada, singer Jay Schwartz’s longtime friend and publicist said in a statement. The cause of death is not yet known.
Wilson was a “trendsetter who broke down social, racial and gender barriers,” Schwartz said in his statement.
She began her career in Detroit in 1959 as a singer in the then Primettes. The group later became The Supremes, with members Diana Ross and Florence Ballard.
The group achieved unprecedented success with Motown Records in the 1960s, hitting 12 No. 1 hits including “Where Did Our Love Go”, “Baby Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love”.
Motown founder Berry Gordy said in a statement to NPR, “I’ve always been proud of Mary. She was quite a star herself and continued to work hard over the years to build the Supreme legacy. Mary Wilson was something.” very special.” I. She was a trailblazer, a diva, and will be greatly missed. “
